Ruxton, West Towson and similar close in Baltimore County locales

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

OP here: I did see the overpriced Pinehurst home and did attend the open house at Lake Manor (also overpriced and only 2 BRs on ground floor). Drove through Armagh and its too congested with cars plugging the streets (few homes with driveways or garages). There just isn't much inventory out there but still learning and looking. Thanks for your insights!

[Anonymous]

There is never much inventory in the desirable parts of North Baltimore, on both sides of the city/county line. Unfortunately, spring market will really slow down by end of May and there will be only a trickle of new listings until after Labor Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

Not OP here. The Armagh village house went pending over the weekend. I thought seriously about making an offer but am not quite ready.

This is really helpful. Anneslie is absolutely adorable and seems very affordable, but sounds like there is some stigma of being east of York, even for Stoneleigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

Not OP here. The Armagh village house went pending over the weekend. I thought seriously about making an offer but am not quite ready.

This is really helpful. Anneslie is absolutely adorable and seems very affordable, but sounds like there is some stigma of being east of York, even for Stoneleigh.

For what it's worth, I've lived in Towson for more than 25 years now and this is the first I've ever heard of a stigma associated with being east of York Road, at least in the County. In fact, I always thought Stoneleigh Elementary seemed a little better than Rodgers Forge and West Towson Elementary Schools (I had one kid attend each), plus the County neighborhoods on that side of York Road have pools while those on the west do not

There is much more stigma attached to being the kind of person who thinks Stoneleigh (or Anneslie) has any kind of stigma attached to it than there is any actual stigma attached to those neighborhoods

[Anonymous]

I agree with whoever said that, if I had Ruxton money, I'd buy in Roland Park and use private schools.

Actually, I'd personally buy in Bolton Hill, but I don't think that's the vibe you are looking for if you are considering Ruxton.

[Anonymous]

This is my dream home, except that it would be much worse for my commute: https://redf.in/ouzxzO.

[Anonymous]

We moved here about 15 years ago and, though I would never, ever, ever say this to anyone in-person, I STILL find it ridiculous when people are snobby about any area of this town. Even the "nicest" areas.

My neighborhood is great, but Baltimore is an unequivocally sub par American mid-sized city - on almost any level. Charming? Yes. Are the people interesting and nice? Yes. Are the slate roofs and architecture better than a McMansion exhurb? Yep. But even the best neighborhoods are rundown, hodgepodge and have horrible schools and services.

Is there anything to be snobby about? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is my dream home, except that it would be much worse for my commute: https://redf.in/ouzxzO.

I love everything about it including the cats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved here about 15 years ago and, though I would never, ever, ever say this to anyone in-person, I STILL find it ridiculous when people are snobby about any area of this town. Even the "nicest" areas.

My neighborhood is great, but Baltimore is an unequivocally sub par American mid-sized city - on almost any level. Charming? Yes. Are the people interesting and nice? Yes. Are the slate roofs and architecture better than a McMansion exhurb? Yep. But even the best neighborhoods are rundown, hodgepodge and have horrible schools and services.

Is there anything to be snobby about? No.

Gotta admit, that went in an entirely unexpected direction. I didn’t expect you to ridicule snobby people by… being even snobbier. Well done, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

Not OP here. The Armagh village house went pending over the weekend. I thought seriously about making an offer but am not quite ready.

This is really helpful. Anneslie is absolutely adorable and seems very affordable, but sounds like there is some stigma of being east of York, even for Stoneleigh.

For what it's worth, I've lived in Towson for more than 25 years now and this is the first I've ever heard of a stigma associated with being east of York Road, at least in the County. In fact, I always thought Stoneleigh Elementary seemed a little better than Rodgers Forge and West Towson Elementary Schools (I had one kid attend each), plus the County neighborhoods on that side of York Road have pools while those on the west do not

There is much more stigma attached to being the kind of person who thinks Stoneleigh (or Anneslie) has any kind of stigma attached to it than there is any actual stigma attached to those neighborhoods

Technically RF elementary scores higher than Stoneleigh ES these days but that's nitpicking and entirely due that RFES draws solely from the rowhouse neighborhood around it while Stoneleigh has a larger zone including some apartments. Apparently not even the RF apartments goes to RFES, they are sent to West Towson. Which makes no sense to me but probably due to spacing limits.

No one has mentioned Rodgers Forge on here and it's a lovely neighborhood. The Old Forge especially. Some of the end units are quite a decent size with five bedrooms, making them comparable in size with many houses in Wiltondale even if the latter are SFH. I have friends in one of those end of units and they initially bought thinking they'd sell in a few years for a SFH but have come to really like it and are staying put.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

Not OP here. The Armagh village house went pending over the weekend. I thought seriously about making an offer but am not quite ready.

This is really helpful. Anneslie is absolutely adorable and seems very affordable, but sounds like there is some stigma of being east of York, even for Stoneleigh.

For what it's worth, I've lived in Towson for more than 25 years now and this is the first I've ever heard of a stigma associated with being east of York Road, at least in the County. In fact, I always thought Stoneleigh Elementary seemed a little better than Rodgers Forge and West Towson Elementary Schools (I had one kid attend each), plus the County neighborhoods on that side of York Road have pools while those on the west do not

There is much more stigma attached to being the kind of person who thinks Stoneleigh (or Anneslie) has any kind of stigma attached to it than there is any actual stigma attached to those neighborhoods

Technically RF elementary scores higher than Stoneleigh ES these days but that's nitpicking and entirely due that RFES draws solely from the rowhouse neighborhood around it while Stoneleigh has a larger zone including some apartments. Apparently not even the RF apartments goes to RFES, they are sent to West Towson. Which makes no sense to me but probably due to spacing limits.

No one has mentioned Rodgers Forge on here and it's a lovely neighborhood. The Old Forge especially. Some of the end units are quite a decent size with five bedrooms, making them comparable in size with many houses in Wiltondale even if the latter are SFH. I have friends in one of those end of units and they initially bought thinking they'd sell in a few years for a SFH but have come to really like it and are staying put.

I currently rent in RF and am trying to decide between buying a townhouse in the Forge or a SFH in Stoneleigh, Anneslie or West Towson. I already lived in Ruxton and am looking for a more neighborhood feel with sidewalks and friendly neighbors. There isn't that big of a price difference between the end units in RF and the bungalows in Anneslie, but I have seen houses sitting in Anneslie and I don't quite understand why, even though I've lived in Baltimore County most of my life.

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations for Baltimore realtors who understand these neighborhoods well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Been looking and made one over list offer in Wiltondale but did not win.

I do like Stoneleigh and Wiltondale and wonder about west of York. Are Armagh and Pinehurst similar? Well kept homes, children and family centered, or is it more a mix singles, empty nesters and seniors? Thanks

Armagh Village is one of the great neighborhoods in Baltimore County, virtually nobody knows it exists

Open House there today, house will probably be sold by Monday. Listing price seems suspiciously low, maybe house isn’t in great shape although it looks fine

Anecdote here. A childhood friend moving back to Baltimore was househunting and a house came up in Stoneleigh and she liked it but she confessed to me that she couldn't bring herself to live east of York Road. I gave her a long look and even she was embarrassed by it, but there is some truth to the east/west York Road divide in the eyes of what we'd have once called "old money Baltimore." West side had the expensive neighborhoods, country clubs, private schools, and the western demarcation line was Falls Road. It is very silly, as Stoneleigh is certainly "nicer" than some areas west of York Road.

Armagh Village is a little pocket neighborhood and sweet, living up to its village name. Houses tend to be a bit smaller than Stoneleigh though some have large extensions now. Pinehurst is a neighborhood that hews much more closely to the private school world, closer to Homeland and Ruxton and the main feeder road is Charles Street, also straddling Bellona. About a third of Pinehurst is within the city, so keep it in mind. This listing is in Pinehurst: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/101-Thicket-Rd-21212/home/11211901

Despite what the (overpriced, methinks) listing may indicate, this house straddles both sides of the county/city border, meaning you get to pick which school system you want to use. If county, it feeds into West Towson elementary (excellent) and same middle/high school as Stoneleigh. Lots of kids. Although there's plenty of private school families, the West Towson elementary bus swings through Pinehurst and collects its share of kids. Real problem with Pinehurst is inventory is always limited. Lovely housing stock, however.

Have you driven around these areas? Every neighborhood and pocket areas absolutely has its personality.

By the way, there's also this listing: https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/6009-Lake-Manor-Dr-21210/home/9632975

Worth contemplating. It's a small neighborhood adjacent to Lake Roland Park. On the county side. Wonderful area to live although it's more Ruxton than Stoneleigh but it's worth viewing and getting a sense of the area.

Not OP here. The Armagh village house went pending over the weekend. I thought seriously about making an offer but am not quite ready.

This is really helpful. Anneslie is absolutely adorable and seems very affordable, but sounds like there is some stigma of being east of York, even for Stoneleigh.

For what it's worth, I've lived in Towson for more than 25 years now and this is the first I've ever heard of a stigma associated with being east of York Road, at least in the County. In fact, I always thought Stoneleigh Elementary seemed a little better than Rodgers Forge and West Towson Elementary Schools (I had one kid attend each), plus the County neighborhoods on that side of York Road have pools while those on the west do not

There is much more stigma attached to being the kind of person who thinks Stoneleigh (or Anneslie) has any kind of stigma attached to it than there is any actual stigma attached to those neighborhoods

Technically RF elementary scores higher than Stoneleigh ES these days but that's nitpicking and entirely due that RFES draws solely from the rowhouse neighborhood around it while Stoneleigh has a larger zone including some apartments. Apparently not even the RF apartments goes to RFES, they are sent to West Towson. Which makes no sense to me but probably due to spacing limits.

No one has mentioned Rodgers Forge on here and it's a lovely neighborhood. The Old Forge especially. Some of the end units are quite a decent size with five bedrooms, making them comparable in size with many houses in Wiltondale even if the latter are SFH. I have friends in one of those end of units and they initially bought thinking they'd sell in a few years for a SFH but have come to really like it and are staying put.

I currently rent in RF and am trying to decide between buying a townhouse in the Forge or a SFH in Stoneleigh, Anneslie or West Towson. I already lived in Ruxton and am looking for a more neighborhood feel with sidewalks and friendly neighbors. There isn't that big of a price difference between the end units in RF and the bungalows in Anneslie, but I have seen houses sitting in Anneslie and I don't quite understand why, even though I've lived in Baltimore County most of my life.

There are some busy streets in Anneslie, that might be part of it.

[Anonymous]

I agree that if you are open to a rowhouse, Rodgers Forge is really really lovely. The tight-knit neighborhood vibe can't be matched anywhere in Towson.

[Anonymous]

And here's an example of a row house that is going to feel pretty much identical to a single family: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/309-Hopkins-Rd_Baltimore_MD_21212_M53877-72254?cid=soc_shares_fs_ldp